Rules & Regulations

If a sponsor, member, fan, etc. of a team displays unsportsmanlike conduct at a competition, the Mid-Atlantic Pom and Dance Association will immediately disqualify the team and in turn said team will forfeit any trophy or placement that may have been awarded. In addition, the team will not be allowed to compete in the next competition. If the team has already paid the entry fee, it will be forfeited. For further details, see the Sportsmanship page.

All
categories may not exceed two and one-half (2½) minutes in length, except Total
Package (see next bullet). Timing starts with the first intended movement to
music and ends with the final movement or end of the music. A one-point penalty
will be assessed for each 15 seconds, or portion thereof, beyond the 2½ minute
time limit.

The Total
Package category may not exceed five (5) minutes in length but must be 3
minutes minimum. Timing starts with the first intended movement to music and
ends with the final movement or end of the music. A one-point penalty will be
assessed for each 15 seconds, or portion thereof, beyond the 5 minute time
limit.

Music
that contains lyrics with profane language, vulgar statements, or sexually
suggestive/explicit content will result in a 5 point penalty. They are
performing for family audiences.

COSTUMING
& CHOREOGRAPHY

A
two-point penalty will be assessed for each infraction.

All costumes/uniforms must be appropriate for the age and
activity.

When performers are standing at attention, all
costumes/uniforms must cover the midriff area completely. Nude body liners are
acceptable.

Costumes/uniforms for male performers must include a shirt that
is fastened; however, it can be sleeveless.

Performers must wear shoes, dance paws are acceptable.

Choreography should be appropriate and entertaining for family
audiences and thus vulgar or suggestive movements (hip thrusting, inappropriate
touching/slapping/positioning to one another, costuming or music) are
prohibited.

OTHER
PENALTIES

Any dropped item (pom, hair ribbons, gloves, belts, etc.) which
unintentionally falls on the performance floor creates a safety hazard. A
1-point penalty will be assessed for each infraction.

Entrance Timing for Categories: Teams will have 30 seconds to
"run in" and signal for the music to start for each category except
Props. Teams will be timed when the first member steps onto the competition
floor. The announcer will state "Please welcome XXX TEAM, Captain please
signal when ready." Timing will start as the first member runs onto the
floor. Once the team is set, the captain should signal. Captains are not to
wait for another announcement to signal. Captain should automatically signal
when the team is ready within the 30 seconds.

A 2-point deduction will result
in every 5 seconds over the allotted 30 seconds. (Example: 32 seconds: -2
points; 37 seconds: -4 points)

Entrance Timing for PROPS: Teams will have 1 minute to set up
their props and for the captain to signal for the music. Timing will begin when
the first member steps onto the competition floor (this will include staff that
is helping with the set up). The announcer will state "Please welcome XXX
TEAM, Captain please signal when ready." Timing will start as the first member
runs onto the floor. Once the team is set, the captain should signal. Captains
are not to wait for another announcement to signal. Captain should
automatically signal when the team is ready within the 30 seconds.

A 2-point
deduction will result in every 5 seconds over the allotted 30 seconds.
(Example: 32 seconds: -2 points; 37 seconds: -4 points)

GROUP SIZE CHANGE

Teams will have 48 hours from the close of Registration ( the clearly identified registration deadline written on ALL applications) to submit a request for change of group size.

Any late notifications are subject to a 3 point penalty in that dance category.

Teams may perform with less than 4 members but will not be able to qualify for Championships.